[Editorial] Decision over Size of Electoral District should Be Made by Public

President-elect Roh Moo Hyun is raising the issue of the medium and large electoral district system, which was also his campaign pledge. Democratization of political parties and transparent political fund raising are to software of political reform what a shift to the medium and large constituency system is to hardware of it. However, there is much controversy over the change in the size of electoral districts because party interests conflict over the issue.

If Korean political history is any guide, it is not difficult to see debate over the size of electoral districts change a lot depending on political situations. Under "Yu-shin," declared by the late President Park Jung Hee, medium electoral district was introduced along with a negotiating group called "Yujeonghoi" in order to help the ruling party secure enough assembly seats. In 1987, when democracy put down roots with grassroots movement, the Peace and Democracy Party of the current President Kim proposed the medium constituency and afterwards National Congress for New Politics and the Millennium Democratic Party succeeded it. Meanwhile, then successive conservative ruling parties, which now lead to the Grand National Party, changed their positions on the constituency system according to political situations.

The small constituency and medium or large constituency both have merits and demerits. The medium or large constituency could contribute to an increase in chance of female candidates or splinter parties going to the National Assembly, and improvement of political environment through shutdown of party branch offices. However, it could cause a lot of money in elections. It also could raise the entry barrier to political newcomers and there could some problems in securing political stability and representativeness. With one year and 4 months to go before general elections, it is questionable whether the debate over the constituency will gain momentum, because lawmakers each are calculating their political advantages in mind.

Mr. Roh is also pursuing the medium electoral district, conscious of the general elections. He attempts to make more ruling party candidates elected in the southeastern Gyeongsang provinces, political base of the opposition Grand National Party. Some political analysts say that it could be a stepping-stone to the parliamentary cabinet system. It is why there is a possibility of the debate fizzling out after political rivalry over the pros and cons of the medium electoral district.

There could be no answer to the question of which electoral district is better. First we should reach public consensus on the question. For reform only from below can continue.